Early life

MacGowan was born on Christmas Day in Pembury, Kent, England, in 1957, to Irish parents. MacGowan spent his early childhood in Tipperary, Ireland before his family moved back to England when he was six and a half. He lived in many parts of the south-east, including Brighton and London.

MacGowan's father, Maurice, worked for a department store. MacGowan's mother, Therese, was a singer and traditional Irish dancer, and had worked as a model in Dublin. In 1971, after attending Holmewood House School at Langton Green, Tunbridge Wells, MacGowan earned a literature scholarship and was accepted into Westminster School. He was found in possession of drugs and was expelled in his second year.

The Wild Rover

I've been a wild rover for many's the yearAnd I spent all me money on whiskey and beerBut now I'm returning with gold in great storeAnd I promise to play the wild rover no moreAnd it's no nay neverNo nay never no moreWill I play the wild roverNo never no moreBut I went to an ale house I used to frequentAnd I told the landlady me money's all spentBut I asked her for credit she answered me naySure a custom like yours I can have any dayAnd it's no nay neverNo nay never no moreWill I play the wild roverNo never no moreI lent from my pocket I took sovereigns brightAnd the landlady's legs opened wide with delightShe says I have whiskey and wines of the bestAnd the words that I spoke were to ya only in jestAnd it's no nay neverNo nay never no moreWill I play the wild roverNo never no moreBut I'll go home to my parents confess what I've doneAnd I'll ask them to pardon their prodigal sonAnd if they'll embraced me as oft times beforeI promise to play the wild rover no moreAnd it's no nay neverNo nay never no moreWill I play the wild roverNo never no moreAnd it's no nay neverNo nay never no moreWill I play the wild rover